How a Facilitator Retreat Changed My Career

As a facilitator, I'm always looking for ways to grow, both personally and professionally. When I heard about a facilitator retreat, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. Little did I know, this experience would have a profound impact on my life.

Before I went to the Retreat

I had been following the activities of AJ & Smart after completing their Design Sprint workshop, so when they announced a big event in Italy, I was following all the posts. However, because the cost was too high, I knew I could not go. So I did the next best thing and followed the journey of those who attended. I followed in the shadows, seeing and hearing about the impact the retreat had on them; it inspired me to explore facilitation further and connect with total strangers on LinkedIn.

What Made Me Buy the Ticket

I realised if I wanted to be more serious, investing in my personal development was crucial. Coincidentally, I even wrote in my journal weeks before about what my 'ideal vacation' would look like, which was a working retreat just like the one Michel and Katrien were working on - I must have manifested something in the universe. When I was talking to my husband about investing in personal development, he asked what would help me move forward and get me there faster. I had an answer in seconds! .. the Facilitator Connect Retreat! I was very grateful he could gift me with this investment. It was the best decision and it would change my life in ways I never expected.

The Impact Several Months Later

The retreat was an incredible experience. I enjoyed spending time with the speakers from the events, but it was the conversations with fellow attendees about their various journeys that truly resonated with me. Everyone helped each other in some form, be it through personal experiences, tips on confidence, or sharing courses and materials that aided their own journeys.

Connecting with facilitators, event hosts and speakers has had a lasting impact on me. It has:

• Boosted my confidence as a facilitator so I can share my experience with those new to it in my current role, conducting training sessions and remote onboarding sessions with different tools.
• Helped me seek advice from peers or other experienced facilitators and experts. I was lucky enough to have the hot seat with Ahmed Munawar refining my niche.
• Opened the door on opportunities such as invitations to co-facilitate workshops, host networking events and run sessions that were outside of my normal skill set,
• With the support of the community calls and everyone's shared lessons, I set up a company - being held accountable for milestones has helped me move forward. Chris Bradshaw and the innovation workshop led me to look at trends and areas I wanted to develop.
• Expanded my network of like-minded professionals, so I have a network of fellow local facilitators and I am part of the core group for the local IAF in Sheffield and sit on the leadership team.
• Provided new tools and techniques to enhance my workshops, bringing what I learnt from that week into the workshops I plan, design and deliver.
• I have even kept a dedicated journal with all my notes from that week, which I refer to as part of own personal branding and style for my workshops. I got to meet my favourite facilitator (massive fan of Brittni)
• Reignited my passion for personal development, signed up to Lovebrain® as recommended by one participant. I developed my visual graphic facilitation by inspired by Axelle and helped along by other visual facilitators.

There are many things I keep coming across that remind me of my experiences from that week, which have shaped where I am today. I am sure there will be many more things that follow in the coming months.

Can't make up your mind?

If you're a facilitator or someone passionate about personal development, I highly recommend connecting with Katrien and Michel. The week I experienced was far beyond my expectations. They both ensured our experience was seamless. We felt connected before the entire event, as we had connected through community calls months before.

They fully catered to our dietary requests, ensuring we didn't go hungry and fueling us with healthy snacks throughout all the day. All the pictures, photo booths, and dining areas were so well stocked with everything we needed. It was an intense week but so worth it.

The best part is getting to know everyone. There were no egos, everyone was so kind and inclusive and friendly. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience. Every time I open up the photos or videos from that week, it gives me a happy, warm feeling of being amongst like-minded people. Thank you Marc Jaspers!

Want to join me on a future retreat? DM me for a secret voucher code for a discount! Follow Facilitators Connect and see what we are they are up to!

Remember, investing in yourself is one of the best decisions you can make. Take that leap, you won't regret it. I haven't!